Author of the Alchemancer and Assassin Without a Name fantasy series

The novel is straightforward, classic fantasy: goblins, witches, rangers, sorcerers, knights, and murky woods. It's a bit of a mystery story with elements of suspense and plenty of action and adventure. There's some magic, too. Readers have complemented me on the development of the characters, which is more than they expect given the nature of the story.

Here's the "official" blurb:

All is not right in the Simarron Woods.

The King's Patrol has vanished. Their Hall stands empty. Goblins prowl the fringes of the forest and folk whisper of a sitheri witch brewing evil from the darkest hollows.

Once a patroller of the Hall, Jerrick is duty-bound to investigate. He is joined by Kayra Weslin, knight errant, and her chronicler, Holly, who go to answer a plea for help from nearby Homewood. Along with Murik Alon Rin'kres, an eslar sorcerer who harbors a secret purpose all his own, the four attempt to unravel the mystery of the missing patrollers. They soon find tales of their disappearance frighteningly untrue.

If you've been on the fence on this one, now you can get it for free. Hard to argue with free.

And, while you're over on Amazon, why not pick up a copy of The Five Elements? It's an unrelated story that begins the tale of the alchemancer, a character I plan on taking through a story arc of 4-5 books when all is said and done. This first novel is a self-contained story, though, and many readers have said some very nice things about the characters, writing, and the story.

Starting tomorrow (or today depending on when you're reading this), The Five Elements, my fantasy/pseudoscience novel that has been described by one reader as "an enveloping story that drags you in and doesn't let go" will be free on Amazon in Kindle format.

The promotion runs for two days—from 3/21 to 3/22. I would greatly appreciate it if everyone and anyone would download the eBook on one of those dates. I'm really curious to see how the novel does in the rankings this time around. This will be the second free promotion I've run. The first went great. But I'd really like to do better. That's why I'm bought some ad space here and there. That's why I've given advanced notice to my Twitter followers. This post will hit Goodreads—where almost 1,000 people entered to win a print copy of The Five Elements—and Amazon either tonight or tomorrow; plenty of time for everyone to find out about this promotion and take advantage of it.

Last but not least, I'm giving YOU, dear blog reader, advanced notice, too. You see, free rankings translate over into paid rankings; last time I achieved some very good free rankings that wound up giving me a real good paid run thereafter. My goal is to at least do that again.

This is third and last post in which I will highlight the last section in the landing/product page for The Five Elements, that being the FAQ. I've only got a few questions listed right now, some of which came out of an interview I did with Kindle Fantasy Authors. I think if I set my mind to it I could come up with some more, but there's something odd about writing up questions to which you already know the answers. So, if anyone out there does have anything nagging at them about either The Alchemancer series as a whole or The Five Elements in particular, comment below or contact me via my contact page.

Of course, these questions and answers are already out on the The Five Elements' product page. Any additional ones will go there as well.

Here, then, is The Five Elements FAQ:

FAQ

How many books are there in The Alchemancer series?

The plan is that The Alchemancer series will span 4-5 novels. While I think there are enough stories in these characters to go well beyond that, I do have a pretty good idea where I want the immediate, overarching storyline to go, and I think 4-5 novels will suit things just fine. I should add that while there are subsequent novels in the series, the story told in The Five Elements does come to a conclusion. In other words, it won't leave you hanging waiting for the next novel.

What's the next book in the series and when will it be out?

The second book in The Alchemancer series is called The Incandescent Engine. I'm working towards having a rough draft completed by September '12. After that, it will go through many revisions. If all goes well, it should be complete by January '13. I wish I could do better on the date, but I still have to work a day job, so...

What's an "alchemancer"?

In the strictest sense, it's the combination of an "alchemist" or "alchemy" and a "-mancer" (someone who practices divination). This would make an alchemancer someone who practices divination by way of alchemy. However, in the context of the series, it's much more than that. Think of an alchemancer as part alchemist, mathematician, scientist, and maybe a bit of sorcerer or witch as well. It's not necessarily someone who actively practices magic, but someone who bends it to their will by means of alchemy, mechanics, or some other principle of science. Further, "the" alchemancer is an individual who may usher in a new age of enlightenment, or perhaps one of darkness. You'll find out as the larger story unfolds.

Following in the footsteps of last night's post where I detailed the characters of my fantasy/pseudoscience novel, The Five Elements, tonight I give you the places of The Five Elements. Surprisingly, there aren't that many. Much of the story takes place in Norwynne, then onboard an airship, and within a couple of different houses out in the wilderness.

Last comment… this *is* leading up to something (a hint: it involves 'free' and 'eBooks'). Check back tomorrow night. Until then…

Places

Norwynne Keep

A prosperous yet remote oceanside city that began as a military outpost. It boasts the fabled wall Regrok, which has never been breached or broken, and Ellingrel, Tower of Sorcery. The city-keep is ruled by Lord Vuller.

Ellingrel

Norwynne's Tower of Sorcery where reside Elsanar, his coterie, and their staff.

The Underkeep

The area beneath Norwynne built out by the dwarves who once called the remote location home. Abandoned long ago, only the highest sub-levels have been converted for use by the city's current residents. It is said dwarven treasure remains to be found somewhere deep down, though no one has ever found anything.

Ursool's house

Ursool's home in the woods.

Wildemoore Manor

A remote abode called home by Master Ansanom and his apprentice, Serena.

Griffin

The Griffin is a one-of-a-kind airship specially designed to stay aloft for long periods of time and to ascend to especially high altitudes.

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